Firearm stability training device and method

ABSTRACT

A firearm stability training device includes an adapter which receives a barrel or, in the case where the firearm is a handgun, receives an operator&#39;s wrist. A flexible coupler is removably attached to the adapter on one end, and a weight is suspended from the opposite end. Motion of the weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of the firearm. Methods are described in which the device is used to train or rehabilitate an operator. An embodiment includes a laser firing assembly electrically connected to a trigger assembly, allowing the operator to accurately track their progress in training or rehabilitation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/775,841, filed 11 Mar. 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains generally to firearms, and more particularly to a device and method for training an operator to improve firearm stability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Marksmanship accuracy has been shown to have a direct relationship to the stability of the firearm being used. In order to establish accurate performance with a firearm it is desirable for the operator to place the firearm in a secure and stable position. When the weight of a firearm must be supported and/or held by the operator, the strength and stability of the operator's musculoskeletal and nervous system become important factors.

Various factors contribute to firearm instability, including the operator's rapid heart rate and/or breathing, which may be a particular problem on the battlefield. It is also important for some marksmen to physically rehabilitate their bodies after suffering an injury, being subject to a degenerative disease or aging, or after undergoing some type of surgery.

The present invention is used to train an operator and improve their musculoskeletal and nervous systems, making them better able to shoulder, aim, and fire a firearm in an accurate and precise manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device for training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a firearm. In accordance with an embodiment, the device cooperates with a firearm shaped article having a barrel. The device includes an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive the barrel and a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end. The upper end is removably attached to the adapter and a weight is removably suspended from the lower end, whereby motion of the weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of the firearm shaped article.

When the weight is suspended from the flexible coupler and the operator changes the position of the firearm shaped article, the resulting motion of the weight applies erratic and chaotic forces to the device. These forces present a challenge for the user to remain in a stable firing position. A method is shown which illustrates movements for the user to improve the strength of their stabilizing muscles and response of their nervous system.

In accordance with another embodiment, the barrel has a distal end and the adapter is disposed at the distal end.

In accordance with another embodiment, the adapter has a slot shaped and dimensioned to closely receive the upper end of the flexible coupler.

In accordance with another embodiment, the adapter forms an aperture wherein the barrel is received, and the device further includes an adjuster for varying the size of the aperture so that differently sized barrels may be closely received by the aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment, the adjuster varies the size of the aperture so that the wrist of the operator may be closely received by the aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment, the adapter has a top side and a plurality of attachment points positioned at differing distances from the top side. The upper end of the flexible coupler is removably attached to any of the attachment points so that the distance between the top side and the weight may be varied.

In accordance with another embodiment, the flexible coupler is comprised of an elastic material. In accordance with another embodiment, the elastic material is capable of a longitudinal elastic deformation of at least 50%.

In accordance with another embodiment, the firearm shaped article has a trigger assembly. The device further includes a laser firing assembly disposed on the adapter, and the laser firing assembly is electrically connected to the trigger assembly.

Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the device and method of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a cooperating firearm shaped article.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an adapter of the device with a barrel of a firearm.

FIG. 3 is a reduced perspective view of another embodiment of the device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter and the firearm shaped article alongside a prior art firearm.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the device being used by the operator.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of an embodiment of the adapter.

FIG. 7A is a side view of an embodiment of the adapter in an open position, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the adapter in various closed positions.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the device.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the device with a weight providing a destabilizing force.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the device being used in a laser firing simulation.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a target used in the laser firing simulation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the device when the operator holds the firearm shaped article nearly horizontal.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the device when the operator tilts the firearm shaped article downwards towards the ground.

LIST OF DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   20 device     -   22 adapter     -   24 slot     -   26 aperture     -   28 adjuster     -   30 top side     -   32 attachment points     -   40 flexible coupler     -   42 upper end     -   44 lower end     -   50 weight     -   60 laser firing assembly     -   62 laser beam     -   500 firearm shaped article     -   510 barrel     -   512 distal end     -   520 trigger assembly     -   600 operator     -   610 wrist     -   800 target     -   900 prior art firearm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2, there are illustrated, respectively, a perspective view of a device for training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a cooperating firearm shaped article and an enlarged perspective view of an adapter of the device. The device is generally designated as 20, the adapter as 22, and the firearm shaped article as 500. The term “firearm shaped article” includes firearms which are designed to be fired from the shoulder, such as a rifle or shotgun; handguns; and articles which have a shape similar to that of a firearm but are not intended to function as weapons. Firearm shaped article 500 has a barrel 510. Adapter 22 is shaped and dimensioned to receive barrel 510, as shown in FIG. 2.

Device 20 further includes a flexible coupler 40 having an upper end 42 and an opposite lower end 44. Upper end 42 removably attaches to adapter 22. A weight 50 is removably suspended from lower end 44, whereby motion of weight 50 provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of firearm shaped article 500. As can be appreciated, suspending weight 50 from lower end 44 allows weight 50 to provide a variety of loads to device 20, in the x, y, and z directions (all three dimensions).

The motion produced in the x, y, and z axes may be either slight or pronounced and may appear to be chaotic, erratic, or unpredictable. Various factors including the materials of device 20 and means for suspending weight 50, the amount of weight 50 used, etc., may affect the amount of motion that occurs when the operator moves firearm shaped article 500. However, if one skilled in the art were to have knowledge of the characteristics regarding the motion of the device 20 by the operator, the material properties, shape and size of the device 20 and firearm shaped article 500, etc., one skilled in the art may be able to make a close prediction of the actual forces acting on firearm shaped article 500.

Flexible coupler 40 may be made of any number of materials that are strong enough to support both tensile and compressive forces, along with having lightweight, flexible, and high fatigue characteristics. FIG. 3 is a reduced perspective view of another embodiment of device 20 wherein flexible coupler 40 is a spring. In another embodiment, flexible coupler 40 is comprised of an elastic material. In another embodiment, the elastic material is capable of a longitudinal elastic deformation of at least 50%. In an embodiment, the length of flexible coupler 40 is between 12-18 inches (30-45 cm), however the length may be selected by the operator to vary the forces applied.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of adapter 22 and firearm shaped article 500 alongside a prior art firearm 900. In the particular view of FIG. 4, firearm shaped article 500 is similar to a Bushmaster XM-15 rifle, but this type of rifle is only shown as an illustration. Many of the exemplary embodiments taught herein can be used with any firearm which is designed to be fired from the shoulder. However, as shown in FIGS. 8-9, some exemplary embodiments could also be used with firearms that are designed to be handheld. Firearm shaped article 500 has a shape similar to that of firearm 900, but is not intended to function as a weapon. To appropriately train the operator, a non-functional firearm shaped article used for stability training should be shaped, dimensioned, and weighted similarly to the firearm with which the operator desires to improve proficiency.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6, barrel 510 has a distal end 512 and adapter 22 is disposed at distal end 512. FIG. 5 is a side view of device 20 being used by operator 600. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of an embodiment of adapter 22. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6, adapter 22 has a plurality of slots 24 shaped and dimensioned to closely receive upper end 42 of flexible coupler 40. By changing the position of upper end 42 within slots 24, the distance between adapter 22 and weight 50 may be varied, thereby changing the forces applied by weight 50. In another embodiment, adapter 22 has one slot 24 shaped and dimensioned to closely receive upper end 42 of flexible coupler 40 (see FIGS. 12-13).

FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of an embodiment of adapter 22 in an open position and in various closed positions, respectively. In the shown embodiment, adapter 22 forms an aperture 26 wherein barrel 510 is received (see FIG. 2). Adapter 22 further includes an adjuster 28 for varying the size of aperture 26 so that differently sized barrels may be closely received by aperture 26. In this way, device 20 may be used for many different styles of firearm shaped article. In the shown embodiment, adjuster 28 is a fabric hook-and-loop fastener which may be readily adjusted to vary the size of aperture 26 as shown in FIG. 7B, where the dashed line represents an alternative position of adjuster 28. Other types of adjuster 28 will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, such as a double ring mechanism, cam buckle, and many others.

FIGS. 8-9 are side views of another embodiment of device 20 wherein firearm shaped article 500 is a handgun. Adjuster 28 varies the size of aperture 26 (see FIG. 7B) so that wrist 610 of operator 600 may be closely received by aperture 26. In one embodiment, adjuster 28 includes an adjustable inner strap to tightly hold adapter 22 on wrist 610. In FIG. 8, handgun 500 is held steady and weight 50 is at rest. In FIG. 9, operator 600 changes the position of handgun 500 and the resulting motion of weight 50 (indicated with arrows) provides destabilizing forces F_(x), F_(y), and F_(z) (in all directions).

Referring again to FIG. 7B, adapter 22 has a top side 30. Adapter 22 has a plurality of attachment points 32 positioned at differing distances from top side 30, for example, D1, D2, and D3. Upper end 42 of flexible coupler 40 is removably attached to any of attachment points 32 so that the distance between top side 30 and weight 50 may be varied (see FIG. 1). This feature allows the operator to vary the force applied from being less disruptive to stable positioning (weight 50 located closer to top side 30, for example at D1) to more disruptive (weight 50 located farther from top side 30, for example at D3). In the shown embodiment, attachment points 32 are D-rings, however many styles of attachment point 32 will be apparent to one skilled in the art, such as the grommet shown in FIG. 2 and many others.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of device 20 being used in a laser firing simulation. In the shown view, flexible coupler 40 and weight 50 have been removed from device 20 (refer also to FIGS. 12-13). In this embodiment, firearm shaped article 500 has a trigger assembly 520. A laser firing assembly 60 is disposed on adapter 22 (see also FIG. 4). Laser firing assembly 60 is electrically connected to trigger assembly 520. When actuated by trigger assembly 520, laser firing assembly 60 sends a laser beam 62 (shown as a dashed line) which simulates the path of a live round and is visible at target 800. In another embodiment, target 800 is an electronic target capable of recording the location of incident laser beam 62. In other embodiments, laser firing assembly 60 may not be in electrical communication with trigger assembly 520, but may simply send a constant laser beam 62 in the forward direction. In this embodiment, the operator can improve their firearm stability by trying to hold the resulting laser point near some target (not necessarily an electronic target as this would not be required here).

In an embodiment where firearm shaped article 500 is a handgun, laser firing assembly 60 takes the form of a bullet-shaped laser device which rests in the breach and emits a laser pulse when triggered. Such a laser device is readily commercially available. In this embodiment, the only telemetry comes from electronic target 800 when a laser pulse is registered.

FIG. 11 is a front view of target 800 used in the laser firing simulation of FIG. 10. Here, target 800 contains several portions having a decreasing area as you move from the larger areas (A2, A3) and down to the smallest (A1, which is the bulls eye). As traditionally known, the more laser pulses recorded in the smallest area A1, the higher the operator's firearm stability is. Thus, using a laser simulation allows the operator to accurately track their progress in training or rehabilitation.

In another embodiment, device 20 cooperates with firearm shaped article 500 to form a firearm stability training system.

In terms of use, a method of training an operator 600 to maintain stable positioning of a firearm shaped article 500, includes: (refer to FIGS. 1-13)

-   -   (a) providing a firearm shaped article 500 having a barrel 510;     -   (b) providing a target 800;     -   (c) providing a device 20 for training operator 600 to maintain         stable positioning of firearm shaped article 500, device 20         comprising:         -   (i) an adapter 22 shaped and dimensioned to receive barrel             510;         -   (ii) a flexible coupler 40 having an upper end 42 and an             opposite lower end 44, upper end 42 removably attached to             adapter 22; and,         -   (iii) a weight 50 removably suspended from lower end 44;     -   (d) placing barrel 510 in adapter 22;     -   (e) aiming barrel 510 away from target 800; and,     -   (f) aiming barrel 510 at target 800, whereby motion of weight 50         provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of firearm         shaped article 500.

The method described above is shown in FIGS. 12-13. FIG. 12 is a side view of device 20 when operator 600 holds firearm shaped article 500 nearly horizontal. FIG. 13 is a side view of device 20 when operator 600 tilts firearm shaped article 500 downwards towards the ground. Target 800 is out of view in FIGS. 12-13; refer to FIG. 10.

The method further including:

-   -   in (c), device 20 further including:         -   firearm shaped article 500 having a trigger assembly 520;         -   a laser firing assembly 60 disposed on adapter 22; and,         -   laser firing assembly 60 electrically connected to trigger             assembly 520, so that laser firing assembly 60 emits a laser             beam 62 when triggered by trigger assembly 520; and,     -   after (e), activating trigger assembly 520.

The method further including:

-   -   in (b), target 800 capable of detecting laser beam 62; and,     -   after (e), recording any detected location of laser beam 62.

Another method of training an operator 600, having a wrist 610, to maintain stable positioning of a firearm shaped article 500, includes: (refer to FIGS. 1-13)

-   -   (a) providing a firearm shaped article 500;     -   (b) providing a target 800;     -   (c) providing a device 20 for training operator 600 to maintain         stable positioning of firearm shaped article 500, device 20         comprising:         -   (i) an adapter 22 shaped and dimensioned to receive wrist             610 of operator 600;         -   (ii) a flexible coupler 40 having an upper end 42 and an             opposite lower end 44, upper end 42 removably attached to             adapter 22; and,         -   (iii) a weight 50 removably suspended from lower end 44;     -   (d) placing wrist 610 in adapter 22;     -   (e) aiming firearm shaped article 500 away from target 800; and,     -   (f) aiming firearm shaped article 500 at target 800, whereby         motion of weight 50 provides a force disruptive to the stable         positioning of firearm shaped article 500.

The method further including:

-   -   in (c), device 20 further including:         -   firearm shaped article 500 having a trigger assembly 520;         -   a laser firing assembly 60; and,         -   laser firing assembly 60 electrically connected to trigger             assembly 520, so that laser firing assembly 60 emits a laser             beam 62 when triggered by trigger assembly 520; and,     -   after (e), activating said trigger assembly 520.

The method further including:

-   -   in (b), target 800 capable of detecting laser beam 62; and,     -   after (e), recording any detected location of laser beam 62.

The embodiments of the firearm stability training device and method of use described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the device and method should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A device for training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a cooperating firearm shaped article, the firearm shaped article having a barrel, said device comprising: an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive the barrel; a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end, said upper end removably attached to said adapter; and, a weight removably suspended from said lower end, whereby motion of said weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of the firearm shaped article.
 2. The device according to claim 1, further including: the barrel having a distal end; and, said adapter disposed at the distal end.
 3. The device according to claim 2, further including: said adapter having a slot shaped and dimensioned to closely receive said upper end of said flexible coupler.
 4. The device according to claim 1, further including: said adapter forming an aperture wherein the barrel is received; and, said adapter having an adjuster for varying the size of said aperture so that differently sized barrels may be closely received by said aperture.
 5. The device according to claim 4, the operator having a wrist, said device further including: said adjuster varying the size of said aperture so that the wrist of the operator may be closely received by said aperture.
 6. The device according to claim 1, further including: said adapter having a top side; said adapter having a plurality of attachment points positioned at differing distances from said top side; and, said upper end of said flexible coupler removably attached to any of said attachment points so that the distance between said top side and said weight may be varied.
 7. The device according to claim 1, further including: said flexible coupler being comprised of an elastic material.
 8. The device according to claim 7, further including: said elastic material being capable of a longitudinal elastic deformation of at least 50%.
 9. The device according to claim 1, further including: the firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly; a laser firing assembly disposed on said adapter; and, said laser firing assembly electrically connected to the trigger assembly.
 10. The device according to claim 1, the operator having a wrist, said device further including: said adapter having a top side and forming an aperture wherein the barrel is received; said adapter having an adjuster for varying the size of said aperture so that differently sized barrels may be closely received by said aperture and so that the wrist of the operator may be closely received by said aperture; said adapter having a plurality of attachment points positioned at differing distances from said top side; said upper end of said flexible coupler removably attached to any of said attachment points so that the distance between said top side and said weight may be varied; said flexible coupler being comprised of an elastic material; the firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly; a laser firing assembly disposed on said adapter; and, said laser firing assembly electrically connected to the trigger assembly.
 11. A system for training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a firearm shaped article, said system comprising: a firearm shaped article having a barrel; an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive said barrel; a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end, said upper end removably attached to said adapter; a weight removably suspended from said lower end; and, whereby motion of said weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of said firearm shaped article.
 12. The system according to claim 11, further including: said barrel having a distal end; and, said adapter disposed at said distal end.
 13. The system according to claim 12, further including: said adapter having a slot shaped and dimensioned to closely receive said upper end of said flexible coupler.
 14. The system according to claim 11, further including: said adapter forming an aperture wherein said barrel is received; and, said adapter having an adjuster for varying the size of said aperture so that differently sized barrels may be closely received by said aperture.
 15. The system according to claim 14, the operator having a wrist, said system further including: said adjuster varying the size of said aperture so that the wrist of the operator may be closely received by said aperture.
 16. The system according to claim 11, further including: said adapter having a top side; said adapter having a plurality of attachment points positioned at differing distances from said top side; and, said upper end of said flexible coupler removably attached to any of said attachment points so that the distance between said top side and said weight may be varied.
 17. The system according to claim 11, further including: said flexible coupler being comprised of an elastic material.
 18. The system according to claim 17, further including: said elastic material being capable of a longitudinal elastic deformation of at least 50%.
 19. The system according to claim 11, further including: said firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly; a laser firing assembly disposed on said adapter; and, said laser firing assembly electrically connected to said trigger assembly, so that said laser firing assembly emits a laser beam when triggered by said trigger assembly.
 20. The system according to claim 19, further including: a target capable of detecting said laser beam.
 21. A method of training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a firearm shaped article, comprising: (a) providing a firearm shaped article having a barrel; (b) providing a target; (c) providing a device for training the operator to maintain stable positioning of said firearm shaped article, said device comprising: (i) an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive said barrel; (ii) a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end, said upper end removably attached to said adapter; and, (iii) a weight removably suspended from said lower end; (d) placing said barrel in said adapter; (e) aiming said barrel away from said target; and, (f) aiming said barrel at said target, whereby motion of said weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of said firearm shaped article.
 22. The method according to claim 21, further including: in (c), said device further including: said firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly; a laser firing assembly disposed on said adapter; and, said laser firing assembly electrically connected to said trigger assembly, so that said laser firing assembly emits a laser beam when triggered by said trigger assembly; and, after (f), activating said trigger assembly.
 23. The method according to claim 22, further including: in (b), said target capable of detecting said laser beam; and, after (f), recording any detected location of said laser beam.
 24. A method of training an operator to maintain stable positioning of a firearm shaped article, the operator having a wrist, said method comprising: (a) providing a firearm shaped article; (b) providing a target; (c) providing a device for training the operator to maintain stable positioning of said firearm shaped article, said device comprising: (i) an adapter shaped and dimensioned to receive the wrist of the operator; (ii) a flexible coupler having an upper end and an opposite lower end, said upper end removably attached to said adapter; and, (iii) a weight removably suspended from said lower end; (d) placing the wrist in said adapter; (e) aiming said firearm shaped article away from said target; and, (f) aiming said firearm shaped article at said target, whereby motion of said weight provides a force disruptive to the stable positioning of said firearm shaped article.
 25. The method according to claim 24, further including: in (c), said device further including: said firearm shaped article having a trigger assembly; a laser firing assembly; and, said laser firing assembly electrically connected to said trigger assembly, so that said laser firing assembly emits a laser beam when triggered by said trigger assembly; and, after (f), activating said trigger assembly.
 26. The method according to claim 25, further including: in (b), said target capable of detecting said laser beam; and, after (f), recording any detected location of said laser beam. 